At more than 500 Taxed Enough Already parties, protesters voiced their concern about the $11 trillion of new spending, which will pin $114,000 of debt on every American. This unprecedented expansion of the federal government's powers also jeopardizes our freedoms.

English philosopher Edmund Burke once said, "All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing." And so I carried a sign saying "Your 'change' is not in my wallet" and a photograph of Donald Trump saying, "2010: Congress, you're fired!"
I wore a teabag on my jacket. After the protest, I kept it pinned there. This gave me an opportunity to express my viewpoint to anyone who asked or to encourage others who share my concerns.

The Obama administration cannot call a terrorist a terrorbut it can lump concerned Americans like me with Timothy McVeigh (1995 Oklahoma City bombing) and the murderer who shot three Pittsburgh police officers to death April 4.

I love this nation. I treasure our shared history and heritage. My hero is George Washington. My eyes fill with tears as the U.S. flag passes by in a parade. I thank God for the privilege of being an American.

My freedom was purchased by generations of self-sacrificing Americans. Now it's my turn. So, I will continue to speak out against policies that will prevent future Americans from enjoying the same opportunities for peace and prosperity -- no matter how many terrorist watch lists I end up on.

Was April 15 a "one day event?" Not for me. Like the -- Minuteman Militia -- first to fight in our American Revolution -- I will find a way, in the midst of my busy life, to drop what I am doing and do what I can to preserve our constitutional republic.

Nicole S. Lee
Saginaw Township

No sympathy for QB

Editor, The News:

As a Central Michigan University graduate this past December, I am faced with a difficult road ahead like the rest of recent and upcoming college graduates.

And like Brian Brunner, former CMU quarterback, I've had to lick my wounds and sack up for what will be a challenging and rigorous ride to my future career. I applaud Brunner for his outlook in regards to not fulfilling his dream of making it to the NFL. However, he does not have my sympathy.

I am fortunate in being able to further attend college because not everybody is afforded such an opportunity.

I'm also extremely lucky to have earned the title of student-athlete for a brief time. College was a humbling experience that allowed an evolution of character and ideology.

Reading Brunner's column struck a nerve, good and bad. He painted himself as rags-to-riches, having a beater for a car and wearing "lowly" clothing from Target. That's not a poster child for a long shot, more a stereotypical college student who doesn't have the luxury of an athletic scholarship or a struggling middle-class worker who has trouble finding a job and staying afloat. Then a hint of arrogance about his 3.9 GPA and wealth of professional connections.

Congratulations, he's had an exceptional academic career, moderately-successful football career and an overall rewarding college experience.

But keep in mind the part that goes in front of athlete is student. A student-athlete back-up at Central Michigan -- not Florida or Ohio State that manufacture NFL players year after year.

He had a role and did more than asked of him. Students fill the role of meeting academic standards to achieve graduation status. Soldiers take on the role of upholding our country's freedom. Factory workers turn the wheels of America's economy.

I'm sorry, but hearing a college quarterback gripe about failing to make the NFL while portraying a Cinderella Man-esque character is a little disheartening considering Michigan's unemployment rate tops 10 percent -- a problem that not only future college grads such as Brunner will face but countless citizens around the state, along with trying to provide for their family.